Help me choose a hotel...

[todzwife]

Ok so our trip isn't for another YEAR but I'm planning already. I have a few questions about hotels (and more questions about other things coming later)

1. Is it better to book WAY in advance or wait until a few weeks before you go to score a good deal?

2. I'm having a hard time finding a hotel. Ideally I'd like:
*walking distance MUST
*free breakfast (even if it's just muffins and milk) NOT a must but would be nice
*MUST have microwave and fridge (so HOJO is out )
*Isn't a total roach motel- we aren't SUPER picky. We stayed in a super 8 last time, so we don't expect "grand californian" for the Super 8 price. But DD has a severe mold allergy and we need it to be clean.

I've been looking at the Park Vue Inn but I'm not sure how clean the rooms are. My family wants to stay at the Hampton, but it's not within walking distance (they like to take ART, but they don't have little ones in strollers)

Anyone have suggestions? We will be going the few days before (and not including) Thanksgiving.

 

[disney-super-mom]

I think for what you're looking for (walking distance, microwave & fridge, clean, free breakfast) I would go for the Best Western Park Place Inn.

It's directly across the street from the main entrance, so basically a 5 minute walk to the front gates of the parks.

It's clean, rooms have both a mini-fridge and microwave, and they have a free breakfast too.

 

[HydroGuy]

I think for what you're looking for (walking distance, microwave & fridge, clean, free breakfast) I would go for the Best Western Park Place Inn.

It's directly across the street from the main entrance, so basically a 5 minute walk to the front gates of the parks.

It's clean, rooms have both a mini-fridge and microwave, and they have a free breakfast too.

I have stayed at the BWPPI three times and agree it provides everything you are looking for. Further, it is more highly rated than the Park Vue.

 

[bumbershoot]

HoJo did not have a breakfast, but our room DID have a microwave and a fridge...we didn't ask for them, nor did we pay extra, but they there there!

Oh wait, maybe it was just a fridge?

I'm not trying to convince you to stay there, b/c they don't have b'fast, but just wanted to put our experience out there.

 

[bouncy54]

We stayed at the BWPPI last month. The rooms are pretty big...fit 4 adults comfortably. Rooms have a fridge, microwave and there's free continental breakfast right next door. Best part is...this hotel is literally a 5 minute walk to the front gate of DL.

Here are some photos I took. Sorry for the clutter in some of the pics. I meant to take them before we settled in but guess I was too excited about finally being there. I would stay at the BWPPI again in a heartbeat.

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This is the view from the door of our room. See the white bus? It's sitting right at the crosswalk to DL.

Another shot from the door with TOT in the distance.

 

[bouncy54]

Oops...I forgot to post the pictures of the pool. It's small, but my grandkids enjoyed it. The hot tub was being refurbished so I didn't get pics of it. The rooms were always clean enough for me when we got back from the parks, but I don't have any allergies so I couldn't tell you if they were clean enough. There are 4 smoking rooms in the hotel, (in case there is someone who allergic to smoke)...only 4...so you shouldn't have a problem getting a non-smoking one at all.

 

[Hound 109]

Great pics, Bouncy.

Thanks for posting these. I'm guessing the couch is a fold out. Is this a "suite"? Approx. what would be the price range of this room (or a room w/o the couch)?

Nice to see:

- Fridge & M/W.
- Functional Pool.
- Location, Location, etc.
- Curved shower rod (whoever invented that was a genius).
- Looks clean.
- I'm assuming the man flaked out napping on bed does NOT come with room.

How late can one park on "check out" day?

Best rates (w/ or w/o coupons etc.)?

Thanks!

I'm contemplating a 2 night here & 2 night GCH on my next (maybe Spring) visit.

 

[bouncy54]

This is a "mini-suite". The couch folds out into a queen bed. I didn't feel any bars beneath the mattress, but there was a sway in the middle. DH and I slept on it because the the other 2 beds were smaller than the fold out, even though they were also supposed to be Queens.

We paid $107 per night with the Entertainment Card. (They didn't ask to see it when I checked in)

I think check out was at 11 AM.

And no...the man flaking out on the bed didn't come with the room. That's son #2 of our 3 sons. We also have a grown daughter who is the oldest.

 

[disneyfaninaz]

You might want to look in to The Candy Cane Inn. It is a very nice quiet and clean motel. They have a free continental breakfast every morning and a dedicated shuttle to the park every 30 minutes. Rooms are also available with a microwave and refrigerator. My famliy loves to stay there. It is a short walk up Harbor Blvd. to the park, but you don't have to cross the street and you walk right along California Adventure park.

http://www.candycaneinn.net/

 

[JenDisneylandlver]

I would say the BWPPI or Tropicana are good choices for you. Both are very close to the parks. We find the shorter the walk the better! Which is why we haven't tried Hojo's or CCI. Were just too spoiled with it being right there.

We also enjoyed having the free breakfast (even if they are small!), and for us the fridge and microwave is a must too. I think you'd be happy at either.

 

[godalejunior]

Thanks for the pics of BWPPI. Our next off site stay will be to try it. The fridge is a nice size!

 

[kiwitravel]

1. Is it better to book WAY in advance or wait until a few weeks before you go to score a good deal?

2. I'm having a hard time finding a hotel. Ideally I'd like:
*walking distance MUST
*free breakfast (even if it's just muffins and milk) NOT a must but would be nice
*MUST have microwave and fridge (so HOJO is out )
.

I always book way in advance, the hotels don't have any idea if they will be full or not so I have found it easier to negoiate a better deal. Also you will be negotiating on what the rate is now (it usually goes up each year). I always make initial approaches via email then phone to negotiate a good rate.

I would recommend you try BWPPI, Tropicanna, Camelot, Park Vue and Carousel Inn. All include a breakfast and all are very close to park. None of these are five star and all have had favourable and unfavourable reviews here, but as a rule they have a lot more favourable reviews than unfavourable so don't think you will have a bad stay at any of them.

HoJos and CCI are also very well thought of but are a little further away (15-20 min walk)

 

[todzwife]

Thank you! This is exactly what I needed and the pictures are wonderful. I think that seals the deal as long as I can get a room there Thanks a bunch!!

 

[Disneyluvr2]

We stay at the Park Vue Inn all the time and LOVE it! I think you would be very happy there. The rooms are very comparable to the BWPPI photos in this post. They have a nice breakfast and the staff is great. It's right next to the BWPPI so you can't beat the location!!!

 

[Vacation Dad]

We like the BWPPI a lot too, it has worked out great for the few visits we are able to make to DLR. When you make a reservation, ask for a room on the 3rd floor (this is the top floor), north side of the building. To us the top floor is a bit quieter since nobody is above you, and the north side of the building will keep you from being disturbed by early morning deliveries to Captain Kidd’s restaurant right next door. The bottom floor will have to deal with car headlights shining in the windows since the parking stalls face in directly to the building.

When we went the week before Thanksgiving we stayed in room 369, and it was a good location. It is in the location I mentioned and about 7 or 8 rooms back from the front of the hotel.